I know, the last chapter turned a little harsh but I have a plan. I just don't like Shockwave and I never have. Even G1, I couldn't stand him because he was just too smooth for my taste and he was a Con too.
The last chapter wasn't easy to write either because I am not a fan of rape but I wanted my readers to know what Raven felt as she was violated by one who she was supposed to be able to trust. I have had friends in real life that were subjected to that feeling and it is hard to get over.
Please take a moment to leave a review. They are important to me and I love to read them. Enjoy!
Megatron sat in his office brooding. He hated data pads with a passion the surpassed even his love for his mate. This was not how he envisioned peace but he would endure it if it meant keeping everything that they had gained as a race. Allie had suggested asking one of the office workers if they would be interested in becoming a personal assistant to him and Prowl managed most of the heavy office work, but some things couldn't be taken care of without his direct approval. Prime took most of the mornings so that Megatron was free to oversee the work on the tarmac and plan strategy with Soundwave and Prowl, however, Megatron promised Optimus a morning with his mate on the condition that they would stop by within the hour.
Shockwave delivered the morning report for the science division as well as fill him in on certain plans and projects that Perceptor and Wheeljack proposed for the next quarter. The first time that Megatron had toured the science center and labs he distinctly wondered why the walls and blast doors were reinforced until he saw the inside and all the black burn marks that littered Wheeljack's lab. He had read the reports through the war about the ditzy engineer regarding the price of his brilliance and it still amazed him that the Autobots could match them in battle since most of the scientist's ideas were known for blowing up. Megatron still shook his helm each time an explosion occurred and Wheeljack's reply to each one was that he was one step closer to success.
Raven would be arriving soon. She had not been pleased to be summoned so unexpectedly and Megatron couldn't help but wonder if she was hiding something from him. He was confident in her reports about the underwater science community but Shockwave had seemed a little too smug and his high handedness only reminded Megatron of how he was after a crucial interrogation or unethical experiment. He would watch her reactions carefully, of that he was sure, and he would check her over and scan her to make sure that she was not hiding anything. Raven was open about her work but then she did a complete three sixty when it concerned her personal life. Megatron could see that she was a private femme and one that did not wear her success or failure with pride or on her sleeve. In many ways she reminded him of Soundwave, except she was better in communication skills as long as it was concerning her work. Megatron feared she was easy prey for Shockwave because she blindingly trusted the people she worked with and assured herself that Allie's team would not harm her. While Megatron did indeed feel that she was safe with Allie's teams, it was the unknown element of having so many new mechs in the Hall that he was worried about. He knew his soldiers, and after the Cliffjumper fiasco he felt that Prime was keeping a close optic on his soldiers as well.
They still had three years to go toward all soldiers becoming one unit within Megatron's command but Prime would also be a beacon, even for the former cons, for all that still believe in Primus and what their god held in store for them. This was another hurdle with Shockwave and Megatron feared that it could cost them if Shockwave hurt the femme in any way.
Raven was due to be arriving at his office any moment and Megatron pinged Optimus to let him know. He wanted Optimus to come but was anxious to see Allie with him. Megatron couldn't quite stop the sudden flutter of his spark and he knew that something wasn't right. Again he thought about Shockwave's early morning meeting and analyzed his words and the smooth movement of his body. Something was definitely up and Megatron hoped that he could steer clear of Allie's temper.
"Sir, you wanted to see me?" Megatron heard her soft voice through the intercom system on the door and he opened the sliding door for her to enter. She was early and beat Prime and Allie to the office.
"Yes, I have some questions about the new food converter that you are developing at Attica. You have some engineering questions and I need to know if you will need the assistance of Wheeljack to help solve those questions." Megatron stated. He watched her carefully since she seemed to be moving slowly. Her graceful body movement was truly optic candy for any mech and Megatron certainly appreciated the curve of her body and the graceful curves that flowed like honey as she walked. Shalon was petit and muscular which Megatron liked because she could keep pace with his passion and still satisfy his craving for control with her submission.
Megatron watched as she stiffly sat down with a sinking feeling in his tank. Shockwave had been too smug, too smooth, and now looking at the fleeting look of pain that passed over Raven's features Megatron knew what he had to do to make this right. Fury slowly boiled back into his systems that Shockwave cold hurt something so innocent as this femme. The war was one thing, there were always casualties to occur whether within ranks or with civilians; but they were now at peace, a peace that was being threatened, and Megatron had to put a stop to it.
"We would appreciate Wheeljack's help if he isn't too busy. My engineers are not used to the delicate work that goes into a food converter. Thank you for your assistance." Raven replied in her quiet submissive voice. It was softer than usual, more hesitant, and she knew that he was watching her.
"I will send him in two weeks. He needs to finish a project with Perceptor first but I have no problems after that." Megatron said. He sat back in his chair as Raven sat so still. She looked like she might break if she even breathed. "What did he do?" Megatron finally asked without even any pretense at what he was meaning.
"I don't know what you mean." She replied, her eyes darting around the room to find some focal point that was not him.
"Raven, you know what I am talking about. I saw Shockwave this morning and he was far too satisfied with himself. Did you tell him that I was the one that delayed you?" Megatron asked her softly. Raven's eyes begin to fill with tears.
"He said that I was not to talk about last night with anyone. He said he would… he would…" Raven broke down and began to cry large sobs that racked her entire body.
"What. Did. He. Do?" Megatron growled and Raven shrunk into herself. The chair seemed larger than her and Megatron saw with clarity just what was going on. He stood up and walked around his desk. Megatron lifted her head by her neck and heard her hiss of pain. He turned her head back and forth as he saw the shadows that she had tried to hide with make-up and a scarf. He looked closer to see the puffiness of her lip and he touched it with a digit feeling her shake and pull back from him without success. He heard the ping but Megatron ignored it. Optimus would walk in unless he communicated not to.
"Raven, I can't help you if you don't tell me what happened." Megatron growled out softly. He detested fragile mechs and femmes because they were so easy to break.
Optimus walked in and immediately saw what was happening.
"Megatron, what is going on?" Prime said as he took in the scene with Megatron observing the femme.
"II am trying to deduce that my dear brother." Megatron said and then turned back to Raven. "Tell me what happened." He demanded.
Raven shook from the Lord High Protector's tone. He sounded so much like her mate and Raven shook her head violently against his grip on her chin. "No, please my lord I can't disobey him." She whispered.
"Raven, if Shockwave hurt you in any way we need to know." Optimus told her gently. He laid his hand over Megatron's and gently pried his brother's fingers from her. Raven sighed in relief and started to move back and then stiffened from the pain of her backside.
"He beat you because you did not return when you claimed you would." Megatron stated softly. "He beat you and he raped you so that you would not disobey him again." Megatron turned away in disgust at his revelation. He hated tears and he hated that his most loyal officer would never be able to thrive in peace. He turned back to see his brother try to comfort the femme even though Raven would shrink back from Optimus' large frame. "Am I right femme?"
"He said that he would beat me if I spoke to anyone." She whispered. She looked up at Megatron with fear in her tear stained eyes.
"Shockwave doesn't like his work to be polluted by outsiders. He would not want you to tell. It is part of his plan to make you into the perfect submissive possession that he sees you for. He wants you to belong entirely to him." Megatron said with distaste. "Allie will not like this development and I will not allow you to go back."
"No, he is my spark mate! I have to submit to him." She cried out and started to stand only to wince in pain.
"You need a medic. I will comm. Ratchet now." Optimus said and held up his hand to ward off her protests. "No Raven, I agree with Megatron. You are not to go back to your quarters unless you have an armed escort. Shockwave is way too dangerous when he is fixated on something or someone." Optimus looked at Megatron. "We have to tell Allie. She is on her way even as we speak."
"I know but this is a violation of the peace treaty and I fear that she will not understand or give us a chance to make reparations." Megatron stated flatly. He was angry that Shockwave would put him in this situation and so very torn because Shockwave had always been loyal, and now he would force Megatron to pick between his loyal officer and the family that he had grown to love.
"Megatron, they are bonded. We can't extinguish his spark without causing severe pain to Raven." Optimus solemnly said. He could feel the processor ache and it didn't help that Allie was wondering why he was stressed. "She is here."
"She is going to be so angry." Raven whispered suddenly.
"Ratchet is also waiting." Optimus told them. He stood and went to the door. As it opened Allie rushed in with concern painted across her face.
"Honey, what is it? I could feel your anxiety almost immediately." Her hands went to her mate's face and she studied him carefully before seeing the tear streaked face of Raven. "What's going on?" Allie's eyes darkened as she suddenly remembered who Raven was seeing and her hands immediately left Optimus' face plates. Allie's eye grew large and Optimus could feel the fury building in his mate.
"Allie, Megatron is aware of the situation…"
"Situation?" Allie murmured softly and Optimus cringed. He could feel the explosion that was about to happen. "I didn't know there was a situation. Is that why Raven is crying?"
"Allie, we were waiting for you so that we could discuss how to best settle this." Megatron cut in. He could see that Optimus was not going to be able to control her and it would be best if he met her fury head on.
"Raven, you are dismissed." Allie said coldly.
"But Allie, what about…" Raven started.
"I read minds, remember?" Allie said cuttingly. Raven shuddered and whimpered as she knew that Allie would see everything and that Megatron and Optimus was in for a verbal beating that they soon wouldn't forget. "Ratchet is outside. You will go with him or I will hunt you down and strap you to a berth. Is that clear?"
"Yes my lady." Raven whispered. She was so ashamed that she was the cause of this and yet there was nothing she could do.
"Well, when were you going to tell me?" She demanded once Raven had left.
"I just found out myself." Megatron replied to her sarcastic question. He walked closer to Allie but she suddenly slapped him across the face plates and snarled furiously.
"I trusted you! I needed to know that my femmes would be safe with you and the minute I let my guard down this is how I am repaid!" Allie snarled angrily but before she could lash at Megatron again he caught her wrists with both his own and pushed her up against the desk. Optimus growled and lunged at his brother, angry that Megatron would even lay a hand on her.
"I will not let anyone hit me!" Megatron bellowed at her and then parried his brother's move by side stepping him. Allie lunged again but didn't expect his movement only to fall against Megatron.
"Let me go!" She yelled at Megatron but he held firm to make sure she didn't lose her balance and hit the desk.
"Will you listen to me and Optimus?" He yelled back.
"Why? You only spew lies and deceit just like your faction name implies. I trusted you! How could you let another one of my femmes be taken advantage of?" She yelled demandingly. "He hurt her! Didn't you see the pain?"
"Yes, and I saw the bruising on her face and the swollen lip. He beat her and violated her!" Megatron yelled. Neither had heard the door swish open nor saw Prowl and Soundwave enter until Allie looked over her shoulder and Optimus felt her dismay at two more hearing the argument. Prowl stood stoically watching his commanders fight while Soundwave stood stock still in his usual stance.
"Were you going to hide it from me?" Allie yelled as she stood facing Megatron.
"No, we were waiting for you so that we could discuss options." Optimus told her trying to pull her away from his brother. Both were so temperamental and obtuse when angry and Optimus feared that one or the other would issue an ultimatum that would end peace if he didn't try to keep reason within the argument.
"So now you admit that you made a mistake and expect me to clean it up!" She hurled at Optimus.
"Allie, stop this now." Optimus said in his low baritone voice that Megatron recognized as the tone that displayed his growing anger.
"Why? So you can dominate me so I will relent!" She snapped back.
"No, I want you to calm down so that you don't do anything stupid." He countered and Allie glowered at him. "The deed is done and now we need to assess damages." Optimus pulled out the chair and silently commanded Allie to sit down. Megatron watched as the femme looked furious and yet indecisive over whether to accept the offer or stand her ground. "Please Allie; we need your input so that we can all decide what is best for Raven." Optimus quietly spoke and even Megatron had to admire his soothing determination to overcome this battle.
Allie slowly walked to the chair, her eyes never leaving her mate's, and sat gracefully down despite the anger rolling off of her in waves. Optimus looked to his brother and Megatron nodded as he stepped back over to his chair and resumes his earlier position. Optimus then took the chair next to Allie and sat down. He tried to take Allie's hand but she turned away from him.
"First, I think that we need to wait for a medical report from Ratchet. I asked that he make an initial report to be sent here immediately so that we have an idea of what type of injuries and how they were inflicted. Personally I am glad that I didn't get to her first because I would have broken the peace treaty." Optimus sighed through his vents after his admission. "What I want to know is what your intentions brother are?"
"Other than tearing Shockwave's spark out I haven't thought much beyond that." Megatron commented thoughtfully. He laced his finger together and Allie snorted.
"Killing him is too kind." Allie said meaningfully.
"What do you suggest then?" Megatron said sarcastically. He was tired of her anger since he didn't have patience for it himself.
"I don't know but if they are bonded we can't kill him without it doing traumatic damage to Raven." Allie told them. "It was hard enough rehabilitating Kiki. You weren't here for the worst of it and she wasn't raped by someone she trusted. This will be worse."
"I agree but Shockwave still has to be held accountable. He will do it to someone else if we just let him walk away." Optimus said thinking about the entire situation.
"He will be hurt by knowing that I don't approve of this. He is very loyal to me and it will destroy him." Megatron said.
"So we just tell him so long, it has been nice but you are banished?" Allie said incredulously. She started to rise in anger but Optimus stopped her.
"No Allie there has to be another solution but first we wait for Ratchet's report." Optimus told them.
"Why, she was violated. We saw her and I saw what lies in her CPU. She will have nightmares from this. There is no punishment that will take away the nightmares." Allie cried angrily as she jerk her arm from Optimus.
"Suggest solution?" Soundwave said from behind them. All three turned to look at Prowl and Soundwave. They had forgotten that they were still in the office listening. "Shockwave needs to be detained before he hears rumors of what is being discussed."
"I agree with Soundwave. There is no point in prolonging this discussion if he gets away." Megatron stated. "Prowl, see that this handled quietly. You and Soundwave escort him to the brig and make sure that he is unarmed."
"Yes my lord, I will see that it is done." Prowl said and turned while Soundwave bowed to both Megatron and Prime and went with Prowl.
"Ratchet to Optimus."
"Optimus here. What is it?"
"I have the report ready if you want it."
"Good. How is Raven?"
"She is being tended by Doc and my mate is not happy. He did a job on the femme and what makes it worse is that she thinks she deserves the punishment that he inflicted on her."
"Keep her there and bring the report to me. Soundwave and Prowl are making arrangements to have Shockwave incarcerated."
"Good because I don't think I could be in the same room with that slagger without wanting to slice and dice him into tiny pieces."
"We are still in Megatron's office. I will be waiting."
"Very well, Ratchet out."
"Ratchet just commed me. He will be here in a moment." Optimus informed and then looked at Allie. He could see that she was nervous and he couldn't blame her. Something about Ratchet's tone bode ill and Optimus was tense. Megatron stood up and walked over to his counter on the far side. He poured Allie, Optimus, and himself a cube of energon and brought theirs back, handing them each one, before going back and picking his up, and then putting it back down and pouring one more. He turned and brought both cubes to his desk and placed on by a third chair before sitting back down to sip his cube.
The energon was high grade and went down smooth; a testament to Wheeljack's distilling abilities, and all three enjoyed the moment of quiet while they calmed down. Ratchet walked in without preamble since Optimus had given him permission and didn't miss the tension in the spacious office.
"What is it that you need to tell us old friend?" Optimus asked gently. Ratchet took a seat as Megatron gestured to the medic to have the cube that he left next to it. Ratchet gratefully accepted the cube and took a sip before speaking.
"Shockwave did a number on her, one that she will probably never forget, and I hate that. She had to be sedated because she started having fluxes while Doc was fixing her." Ratchet took another sip. "I am surprised that she didn't completely break down before I escorted her to the medbay."
"You said that you had something to tell us." Optimus commented.
"Yes, Doc will rebuild her valve and port and then she will place her below in the sarcophagus. There the oracle will heal her and assist with any scarring, however, when I scanned her spark…" Ratchet hesitated again and took another sip, "there seemed to be something, I am not positive, but she might be sparked. It probably will amount to nothing since sparking is extremely hard to do in a rape case, but she was bonded to Shockwave, and we can't overlook that since the bond took it could happen." Ratchet looked at Optimus and then Megatron. He couldn't look at Allie because he had already listened to his mate rant and rave and then had to restrain her from going and killing Shockwave herself. "I can't believe that the femme could even walk after what he did to her. Optimus, she didn't deserve what happened to her and I hope that you and Megatron take care of that slagger good."
"We will Ratchet; that I promise and thank you for taking care of Raven. When will she be able to return back to her duties?" Optimus asked.
"It will be a while. If she is carrying then we will know for sure in a week. If you decide to take Shockwave out of the picture then she will need a donor. The sparkling will thrive only if Raven is comfortable. I am assuming that she and Shockwave met the usual ways?" He looked at Optimus for this confirmation.
"No, they had a mix up concerning their quarters and it spiraled out of control. Allie was initially against the idea but Raven convinced us that she wanted the relationship." Optimus told him.
"Well she cannot go back to that monster. He would cause her to lose the sparkling if he kept up his brutal actions toward her. Optimus," Ratchet stopped a moment to clear the sudden static from his vocalizer. "He beat her over and over in places…" again he hesitated and Allie started to silently cry for the femme who had trusted her. "I am surprised that she was able to get out of the berth this morning. If Megatron hadn't of asked her to come to his office she may have tried to go below and take care of the damage herself though the sarcophagus would have healed the surface damage. It wouldn't have taken care of the internal damage though and she could have ended up being too damaged for her carrying protocols to work."
"If she is carrying, what will happen?" Allie asked quietly. Ratchet felt sorry for her. Like Optimus, she was burdened with the responsibility of taking care of everyone under her command and this was not what she needed when she herself was struggling to recover from a difficult labor.
"She will need a donor mech. When a femme carries they need certain things only their bonded mate can give them while they are carrying. It is normal in a relationship during this time since they were sparked by the same means. When a carrier loses their mate either they follow them to the Well of Sparks, or if a good medic can stop it, then a donor mech is found and the transfluid that the carrier needs, the same fluid that carries coding and extra metal for building the protoform, is injected into the carrying chamber."
"So when you say she will need a donor mech you have already decided that Shockwave will have nothing to do with his own sparkling." Allie assumed.
"Yes, he has no business being near a sparkling. He could do damage to it if he can do that to Raven." Ratchet said.
"I agree but we don't know how to proceed." Optimus added thoughtfully.
"We can't just have him executed. It would damage Raven." Allie told Ratchet.
"I agree. There has to be something. To leave him in prison is too good and he might escape which would pose a problem for anyone that he had previous contact with." Optimus murmured.
"Wait, Allie you said that when Kiki came back one of the ideas for the femmes that were rescued with her be put in a permanent stasis." Ratchet turned toward Optimus and Allie. "Can we do that to Shockwave?"
"Place him in stasis; will it harm him?" Megatron asked.
"No but he will know that his spark is no longer connected to his body and that he will be placed in a container that will maintain the spark safely." Allie said as she thought about the idea. It was a sound idea that would hurt Shockwave severely without permanently causing damage to Raven. "When can we do this?" She asked suddenly.
"We need to do it now before Raven finds out if she is carrying." Ratchet said. "They are bonded and should Raven carry then Shockwave will know through the bond."
"I agree." Megatron said. "The Combaticons were not created like the Stunticons. They were infused with personalities from mechs that had been put in stasis. Once the initial awkwardness wore off they were useful in my army though now I would hesitate to use them during peace. If we make an example then this would send a warning to any mech that might disregard the rules and laws that we have established for peace. It would also send a message to the femmes that we mean to keep peace at any cost." Megatron looked at Allie hoping that she would see reason on this. "Will this be enough to appease you?" He asked her softly.
Allie thought about it. Shockwave would be effectively contained and though Raven would have to do counseling she would be able to overcome this obstacle. "I will accept this. Raven did start the relationship so she will have to deal with her part in this but I still stand on the point that she never deserved what he did to her. I still don't understand why he beat her."
"He did it because she was two weeks late coming back to the Hall. I asked her take care of something that I didn't need to deal with. I have no patience for political games and she was so good natured about it. I didn't know that Shockwave would beat her nor did I know that he would not accept her explanation and for that Allie I am very sorry." Megatron said to her. Allie knew that he meant it since he was not one to apologize openly or ever so she nodded her acceptance and Optimus sighed through his vents.
"He had no right." Allie whispered.
"And we will deal with that." Optimus added.
"I will say this, if this does not happen there will be repercussions. I will not accept any changes that we agree upon." Allie informed them. "I also will not accept any changes made without my concession."
"I agree. The reason for Shockwave's punishment will remain quiet for Raven's peace but we will make public his punishment to stave off any others who might have ideas about harming any femme." Megatron said.
"My former Autobots will not be happy with a punishment that is not justified." Optimus quickly said. "They will wonder if they will be next under you."
"Then we will give them a reason but Allie has a right to protect Raven." Megatron stated.
"I agree. My femmes need the reassurance that this is a rare occurrence that will not happen again." Allie said.
"I will agree but remember that my mechs may see through this and want a plausible explanation." Optimus told them solemnly.
"That is fine but Shockwave will pay for what he did." Allie said vehemently.
"He will Allie. There is too much at stake for me to side with him even if he is loyal. I will be the one to tell him but I think that Optimus should be the one to announce his punishment." Megatron said. "Your mechs will not accept it from me even if he is one of my former cons."
"You're right. They will take it as a threat to their security. I will be ready." Optimus added to Megatron's statement.
"I can keep Raven sedated and while she is in medbay I can watch to see if the spark will take a permanent hold. By keeping her sedated she will not feel the immediate effects when Shockwave is placed in stasis." Ratchet said.
"Then we are all agreed. This will happen. Megatron, when do you want to make the announcement?" Optimus asked.
"Let Shockwave sit in the brig. I will talk to him personally because he needs to know that I will not tolerate his actions and then we will make the announcement tonight when the patrols come in and before the night shift begins." Megatron stated and Allie shook her head in agreement. Everyone would still be on the tarmac and those who weren't would be sent for so that everyone would hear about it.
"I will have Soundwave make the announcement today so that everyone will be present." Allie added.
"Then it is done." Megatron stood and Optimus followed as he took Allie's elbow and escorted her to the door. Ratchet followed and all four resumed their previous activities when a heavy spark.
